Category: Newsflashes

BROADENING OF THE AFM’s ECUMENICAL INVOLVEMENT AND APPEAL FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF IN THE WAKE OF CYCLONE IDAI

Dear Colleague,

The National Office Bearers (NOB) of the AFM of SA wishes to bring the matters mentioned above to the attention of our members, pastors and ecumenical partners.

1. Broadening Of The AFM’s Ecumenical Involvement

One of the drivers of the AFM’s strategic plan, the One AFM Game Plan (http://afm-ags.org/leading-the-afm/one-afm-game-plan/), is Ecumenical Relations. The AFM acknowledges the body of Christ as churches and organisations who believe in the Trinity as well as believe that the Scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit, and co-operate with them where possible.

The AFM of SA is aligned in ecumenical relations with the following organisations: The Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF), The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa (TEASA), Empower 21 and the South African Council of Churches (SACC).

It was felt that for the AFM to broaden its global impact, it should explore application for membership of the World Council of Churches (WCC). The Deputy President of the church, Dr. J.J. La Poorta was requested to prepare a document in this regard, which was considered by the NOB, as well as the November 2018 National Leadership Forum (NLF). The meeting resolved that the document be made available to all NLF members for their consideration and input. During the March 2019 NLF meeting the document was considered and accepted.

The following main sections of the document guided the NLF in its decision to apply for membership of the WCC (World Council of Churches) namely, the theological and Biblical rationale of ecumenism, unity and fellowship as expressed in the work of the WCC today.

2. Appeal For Emergency Relief In The Wake Of Cyclone Idai

The president of the AFM of SA, Past. George Mahlobo has already called for emergency relief to assist our members and other individuals in distress in especially Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. In Mozambique alone more than 900 000 children are affected, with some being separated from their families. Our sister church in Zimbabwe, the AFM in Zimbabwe is coordinating emergency relief for the affected areas in Zimbabwe. To provide assistance in Zimbabwe, please contact the AFM leadership in Zimbabwe.
In the light of the Cholera outbreak in and around Beira, we are focusing on Mozambique and Malawi.

Donations in the form of cash, non-perishable foodstuff, maize, clothing, blankets and anything that will help families to set up their homes are welcome. The National Leadership Forum (NLF), as well as some of the AFM’s Regional structures has already donated a sizeable amount of R240,000.00 in this regard, but more is needed.

Donations can be deposited into the following account:
ABSA, Africa Missions, Account Number 60174970
Branch: Pretoria North (Use universal branch code)
*Please specify who made the deposit.
*Please use the following codes:
Roofing Material for Mozambique and Malawi – Moz/Mal A
For food, transportations etc. for Mozambique and Malawi – Moz/Mal B

URGENT: REQUEST FOR DONATIONS AND PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF CYCLONE IDAI

Cyclone Idai made a landfall on Thursday 14 March 2019 and caused widespread destruction in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Houses, roads and bridges were ripped apart and agricultural land is completely submerged in water. In Mozambique alone more than 400 people are confirmed dead.

Our sister church in Zimbabwe, the AFM in Zimbabwe, is mobilizing emergency relief for the affected areas in Zimbabwe. Catastrophic damages occurred in an around Beira in Southern Mozambique. Our members, their homes and church buildings were also damaged. At this point in time I am still waiting for information in this regard.

I am calling for donations in the form of cash, non-perishable foodstuff, maize donations from farmers, clothing, blankets and anything that will help families to set up their homes.

The National Leadership Forum (NLF) at its recent meeting in Cape Town, took a resolution to donate a sum of R100,000.00 to Mozambique and in the same amount to Malawi. Other Regional Structures have also promised financial donation.

Donations can be deposited into the following account:
ABSA
Africa Missions
Account Number 60174970
Branch: Pretoria North (Use universal branch code)
*Please specify who made the deposit.
*Please use the following codes:
Roofing Material for Mozambique and Malawi – Moz/Mal A
For food, transportations etc. for Mozambique and Malawi – Moz/Mal B

With regard to the AFM in MALAWI the following nine (9) church buildings were damaged:
Thawale church in Mwanza district,
Chimwanga church in Blantyre district,
Chadzunda church in Blantyre district,
Tomali church in Chikwawa district,
Thabwani church in Chikwawa district,
Mpoza Church in Chikwawa district,
Matemba church in East bank- Chikwawa district,
One church at Nchalo-Chikwawa district and
Mahame church in Thyolo district.

Approximately 600 AFM members are affected. People need food, clothes, beddings and shelters. Assistance in the form of building material, non-perishable food stuff, clothes, blankets and money will be appreciated.

Assistance for MALAWI should be sent through the AFM Mpumalanga Highveld Region which is coordinating the emergency relief.

In today’s Newsflash, I would like to share with you some strategic issues from the National Office Bearers’ meetings. I remind you of the new dates for the AFM National Conference in September. Furthermore, the NOB Empowerment Visits are going extremely well and we would like to encourage you to join us on one of the remaining dates.

1. STRATEGIC MATTERS FROM THE NATIONAL OFFICE BEARERS MEETINGS

Students Ministry in Higher Education Institutions

The National Office Bearers (NOB) are currently discussing the importance of the AFM’s focus and investment to fund campus ministries at the various campuses throughout the country and to strengthen AFM student associations. A number of AFM student associations have been registered and are ministering on campuses already. A meeting between the leaders of campus ministries and the NOB is planned for June 2019.

Declining Assemblies

The NOB is aware of several rural and small-town assemblies who are experiencing a decline due to a variety of reasons. An ad hoc Committee was appointed by the National Leadership Forum (NLF) to investigate this matter. The wellness of assemblies is an important matter that should receive the continuous attention of local, regional and national leadership and the NOB is therefore considering several possibilities.

Multicultural Services and -Assemblies

The National Office Bearers recently had a meeting with a number of pastors and role players with knowledge and experience about multicultural services and -assemblies. The participants shared their journeys in transitioning from a mono- to a multicultural approach. A follow-up meeting with more role players is planned with a view of developing a practical strategy in this regard.

Church Planting

The National Office Bearers are in the process of discussing and consulting with different role players on the development of a church planting and -growth strategy/ies for the AFM.

2. 2019 AFM NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Please note that there has been a change in the date of the 2019 National Conference. Due to practicalities at the venue, the date moves one week earlier and the conference is now starting with the evening service on Sunday 15 September and concluding with the evening service on Wednesday 18 September 2019. The venue will be at the:

Lighthouse Ministries, 275 Voortrekker Road Parow, Cape Town.

There will be PCD sessions from 10:30-12:30 and 14:00-15:30 on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 September 2019. Participants can accumulate 5 PCD credits per day, talling 10 credits for the two days.

3. NOB EMPOWERMENT VISITS 2019: A SPECIAL INVITATION

We hereby extend a special invitation to all our pastors, governing body members, national youth and leaders in the church to attend this year’s NOB (National Office Bearers) Empowerment Visits. The format is a combination of pre-recorded video material, live presentations, interactive dialogue sessions and opportunities for networking and fellowship. This year our theme is:Facing the Future with Lessons from the Past

On Monday February 11, 2019 when South Africa remembered the release of Mr. Nelson Mandela from prison, Eskom’s six generators developed functional capacity. Consequently, Eskom escalated load shedding from Stage 2 to Stage 4. Since then the country is going through Stage 3 load shedding. South Africa only had a brush with Stage 4 in 2015. Stage 4 load shedding has the disastrous potential to plunge large part of the country into darkness. According to the Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Pravin Gordan, Eskom is in a crisis which has been caused by structural, operational and financial capacity.

All of us, need to brace ourselves for the difficult days ahead. Let us not forget about the Up4SA nation-wide prayer initiative next weekend. I encourage all our pastors and congregations to establish prayer points in their local communities. We cannot let this opportunity for fervent prayer pass by. You can connect with this initiative through:

Communication: Ensure that your cellphone, laptop, tablet and radio are always fully charged when power is available. This will allow you to be able to communicate with friends and family during load-shedding.

Transport: Make sure that your vehicle always has fuel in the tank as most petrol stations may be unable to pump fuel during power outages.

Cash: Keep some cash with you as ATMs cannot operate without electricity.

Security and safety: Backup batteries for electrically operated gates, garage doors and security systems should be kept in a good working condition and be able to last through periods of load-shedding. Regular testing of these backup batteries is essential.

Store temporary light sources such as battery-powered torches, gas lamps and candles in places where they will be easy to find in the dark.

Eating: If you do not have a gas stove, prepare meals before the power is scheduled to be switched off. Boil water in your kettle and keep it in thermos flasks for hot drinks. You can also use an insulating cover on teapots, pots and pans to keep drinks and meals warm.

Most medication requiring refrigeration can be kept in a closed fridge for several hours without spoiling but you should check with your doctor or pharmacist if in doubt.

Print and refer to the load shedding schedule of your area to enable you to plan your properly.

2. 2019 AFM NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Please note that there has been a change in the date of the 2019 National Conference. Due to practicalities at the venue, the date moves one week earlier and the conference is now starting with the evening service on Sunday 15 September and concluding with the evening service on Wednesday 18 September 2019. The venue will be at the:

Lighthouse Ministries, 275 Voortrekker Road Parow, Cape Town.

There will be PCD sessions from 10:30 -12:30 and 14:00-15:30 on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 September 2019. Participants can accumulate 5 PCD credits per day, totalling 10 credits for the two days.

3. NOTICE: EDUCATION & TRAINING DEPARTMENT

Please note: Deadline for the NWU online application for the 2019 second semester intake is the 30th April 2019.

We hereby extend a special invitation to all our pastors, governing body members, national youth and leaders in the church to attend this year’s NOB (National Office Bearers) Empowerment Visits. The format is a combination of pre-recorded video material, live presentations, interactive dialogue sessions and opportunities for networking and fellowship. This year our theme is:Facing the Future with Lessons from the Past

To those assemblies that participated in the nation-wide AFM prayer and fasting month of January 2019, I would like to say thank you. We requested that our assemblies pray for specific prayer points, including the South African general elections, the AFMI (AFM International) Conference, the World Pentecostal Conference, the harvest of souls and the transformation of our communities. Praying together as a church is precious and I would like to encourage you to share some feedback with me. Send an e-mail with your feedback to [email protected].

A special note: Please take note that the development of the Diploma in Pentecostal Theology for people who cannot be admitted for the BTH Degree at NWU (North-West University) is in an advanced stage.

I would also like to remind you of two important upcoming events:

The NOB Empowerment Visits

Up4SA Prayer Initiative

2. NOB EMPOWERMENT VISITS 2019: A SPECIAL INVITATION

We hereby extend a special invitation to all our pastors, governing body members, national youth and leaders in the church to attend this year’s NOB (National Office Bearers) Empowerment Visits. The format is a combination of pre-recorded video material, live presentations, interactive dialogue sessions and opportunities for networking and fellowship. This year our theme is:Facing the Future with Lessons from the Past

This year will be the 4th consecutive year that we gather as Christians all across South Africa to cover our nation in prayer. In 2018 there were more than 250 prayer points where many local communities united in prayer over the same weekend! Up4SA (United Prayer for South Africa) is a nationwide Prayer initiative on grassroots level. (Grassroots CommUNITY Prayer – Across race and denomination).

As ambassadors of our Lord Jesus we can play a huge roll in unifying our communities! I would like to encourage and challenge you again to take hands with the “Up4SA 2019” team, as we unite in prayer for South Africa! We all acknowledge that 2019 is a very significant year for us as a nation, as it is South Africa’s general election year.

I ask all our pastors and community leaders to prayerfully consider volunteering and co-ordinating a prayer point in your local community. Every community leader that volunteers will receive a resource pack and will be empowered to coordinate the prayer point.

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AFM stands for “Apostolic Faith Mission” (in Afrikaans: “AGS – Apostoliese Geloofsending”). The AFM exists since 1908 and is the first and largest Pentecostal church in the country – with 1.4 million members in SA and currently established in 29 countries of the world. “Pentecostal” means that it is a church who believes that the Spirit of God is given to believers to live dynamic and overcoming lives.